“Our Voice” – A Project by Children and Youth with Additional Needs:
A Children's Participation Case Study from Lebanon

Yara Shamji
Independent Media Consultant

Citation: Shamji, Yara (2007). "“Our Voice” – A Project by Children and Youth with Additional Needs: A Children's Participation Case Study from Lebanon." Children, Youth and Environments 17 (3): 66-83. Retrieved [date] from http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/

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Abstract

This field report outlines an innovative social video project, Our Voice, that took place in Beirut, Lebanon. The project was based on the concept of inclusion and using the creative potential of media advocacy to promote it. Children and youth with and without disabilities collaborated on making Our Voice an advocacy film that socially commented on the ever-ignored situation of people with disabilities in Lebanon and advocated inclusion as a solution. The project was a nine-month experience that took a very close look at the meaning of communication, expression and participation in an environment that celebrated diversity and abstained from stereotyping the capacities of others. As a result, Our Voice engaged participants on a capacity-building journey that encouraged equality, action, choice and independence.

Keywords: media, inclusion, disability, child participation, youth participation, independence, Lebanon